Orly Wahba is an educator, entrepreneur, author and community activist passionate about inspiring and motivating people to be the best that they can be. Over the past ten years, Orly has worked extensively with tweens and teens as well as local charities in her community providing a helping hand for those who need it most.

Orly began her career in Kindness as a middle school educator at the Yeshivah of Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY, teaching the children to embrace unity, build their self-esteem, and use the power they have to influence the world for good. Orly is well known for incorporating and integrating ideas of kindness, love and respect in the hearts and minds of her students both in and out of the classroom setting.

Yearning to make a larger impact with her philanthropic work, Orly founded Life Vest Inside—a non-profit organization with a mission to empower and unite the world with kindness—in 2011. Through Life Vest Inside, Orly encourages people to embrace the incredible power of giving and recognize that in times of hardship, kindness—like a life vest—keeps the world afloat.

LVI shot to national attention when Orly’s film Kindness Boomerangwent viral, receiving more than 100 million views and coverage in media outlets such as TED, The TODAY Show, NBC, CBS, ADWEEK, International Business Times, and more.

Orly Wahba received her BA in Film Production and English from Brooklyn College, and her MA in Jewish History from Touro College. Orly is the CEO of Kindness USA and serves on the Board of The Pay it Forward Foundation as well as the Brooklyn College Foundation. You can follow Orly on Facebook and Twitter.

Kindness Boomerang contains 365 daily acts, one for each day of the year, accompanied by inspirational quotes, personal stories on the power of paying it forward, and tangible steps to change your outlook on life. This book empowers you to bring positivity into your everyday life and the lives of those around you.

Developing the Kindness MuscleThis talk can be adjusted to address audiences of all ages
Orly shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity through her childhood and adolescent years and how kindness played a huge role in developing her sense of self-value and self-love. She addresses the deeper meaning of kindness and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections——the greatest being a connection to oneself. Orly explains that, by dealing with social issues such as bullying, depression, substance abuse, and violence from the “anti-” approach, those issues are only exacerbated. Through her story, she illustrates how we can prevent those issues from materializing in the first place. “The answer is simpler than you think,” she explains. From Dream to Reality: The ProcessFor all audiences
We’ve all have dreams of accomplishing great feats. What stops us? Orly takes the audience through a journey of her life, starting as a four-year-old dreamer who wished to change the world. She outlines the social obstacles she faced and the magic ingredient that changed it all around: kindness, with a bit of self-love. Audience members will take away practical advice and tools for incorporating kindness into both their personal and professional lives, as well as a newfound understanding of their own strengths and capabilities.
Kindness CultureFor companies
Orly touches on how companies can incorporate a culture of kindness into the workplace atmosphere by simply shifting their perspective. While this talk is focused on kindness, it builds on concepts of self-value and empowerment. Orly shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, how kindness played a huge role in her success, and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections. Audience members will be left with practical ways to begin making changes in both their personal and professional lives. The Magic of KindnessFor younger audiences: nursery through fifth grade
Orly shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity in her young childhood years, from difficulty learning to feelings of isolation from her peers. She shares how kindness from a teacher and her renewed sense of confidence helped her to push through and find that her greatest strength was inside of her all along. A presentation of Orly’s short film, Kindness Boomerang, generates conversation and dialogue as students share what kindness means to them and how they can begin making changes in school and at home. Students will leave with a greater understanding of their inherent value as well as a toolbox of practical ways to begin making a change——and a one of a kind kindness challenge from Orly.

You can also find Orly on Bartel in the Morning, 95.5 WPLJ with Race Taylor, and upcoming in the Huffington Post and the podcasts Radically Loved with Rosie Acosta and Your Kickass Life with Andrea Owen.

“I had the privilege of hearing Orly speak at a conference I attended with Janney Montgomery Scott in Orlando. Not only was her message of kindness timely but her entire presentation was extremely motivating and inspiring. Her dedication and passion are contagious. I look forward to sharing her message. She is an incredible speaker and I would recommend her to everyone.”
-- Joe Martinez, Financial Advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott

“Orly just recently spoke to our attendees which was a mix of employees and their spouses (with some teenagers in the crowd) and her message completely resonated with everyone. She is an amazing storyteller the way she shares herself and her experiences. What binds us in this crazy world is our humanity and everyone in the crowd of 200+ left feeling happy and inspired due to Orly's passion and compassion.”
-- Jamie Fungard, CMP - Asst. VP, Event Planner, Janney Montgomery Scott

“Orly did not just speak to a group of conference attendees, she spoke to me. Though the audience was large, her words individually pierced my conscience. Her story is one that should be heard and absorbed. I walked away from the talk with an increased appreciation of people around me, those I know, and even those I don't. This can be applied to personal, business, and community.”
-- Ed Blumenthal, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management at Janney Montgomery Scott

“Orly Wahba is an fantastic speaker with a message the world needs. Her combination of humor and personal reflection kept our audience both engaged and entertained, and her warmth and kind heart shone through. Orly doesn’t just talk - she walks the walk. Our parents were thrilled with her presentation and we’ve had many requests to bring her back to speak to our students as well and we are looking forward to making that happen”
-- Andrea Steinkamp, Co-President, PTA of PS 199

“Orly came and spoke at our company wide sales meeting last month. She was absolutely wonderful. It was the first time that I had seen all of our sales staff put down their phones and actually listen and engage in what she was saying. She is an amazing speaker and I would highly recommend her to anyone!”
-- Kristen Beeman, Heffernan Insurance Brokers

“Orly Wahba spoke at Pacific Hospitality Group's Annual Conference about the power of kindness and the impact it can have on others. During her speech, Orly shared her personal journey with kindness and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections. Her speech resonated with our employees and moved many of them to tears. I highly recommend Orly for speaking engagements. Your team and/or employees will not be disappointed!”
-- Pacific Hospitality Group

"Orly Wahba demonstrates the unique skill and courage of being self reflective and sharing her process with those around her. She is a gifted public speaker who moves those who attend her presentations with personal anecdotes, poems and videos to do that more one kindness that creates the future we all desire."
-- Rabbi Moses Haber, Rav Yeshivah - Barkai

"Orly Wahba portrays what true kindness is all about. Orly has a unique way of speaking and connecting with her audience. Orly is full of positive energy, and has dedicated herself to a life full of kindness. She is truly an inspiration!"
-- Allison Bardavid, Hesed Coordinator - Barkai

"Orly pulls at your heartstrings. She's authentic, relatable, and funny to boot! She's artfully woven together her real life personal experiences to pave the way for how people can turn everyday instances into magical moments that make the world a kinder place."
-- Michele Landa, NY

"Orly Wahba is an angel that is making a difference, one person at a time all over the country and for that matter all over the world. Orly has found her calling as she has started a kindness revolution at a time we need it most in our society!"
-- Gordon A Uehling III, CourtSense

“Orly was dynamic. The students loved her and her message was very positive. She stayed and participated in the program way, way beyond what was asked or expected. This was appreciated by the students and staff.”
-- SAR Academy

"Wow! Orly's presentation was truly inspirational! I heard only positive responses from the teachers as well as the students. One teacher commented on Orly's feeling in the Resource Room, something we don't often talk about. It was a very valuable insight that many kids can relate to. I'm thankful for people like Orly and Lou who have the conviction to stand up and show us - We CAN make a difference. Now that we know this we WILL make a difference!"
-- Frankford School

“Orly's presentation at our event was phenomenal. She tenderly tells the tale of her past, guiding you through the peaks and valleys of her life. Her journey is an inspiration and you cannot help but be motivated. Her simple mantra of "spread kindness" makes her goal of changing the world seem not only possible but inevitable.”
-- Chem Rx Pharmacy Services, LLC

“As an educator, leader and public speaker Orly has sensitized men, women and children to redirect the focus of their lives and embrace a mindset of perpetual kindness. I count myself as someone whose life was changed by her efforts.”
–- Ricky Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Conway Capital LLC

“Orly is entertaining, inspiring, a mentor and master teacher for any group. There are few people who carry the passion and vision that belies her young age. Her electricity can excite and motivate in ways that few people can!”
-– Rabbi Goldberg, Founder and Director, Kids Kicking Cancer

“Perhaps the most amazing impact of this wonderful program is the effect it has on young people. In our day and age, when it would be so easy for young people to lose any hope for a better world, Life Vest is that breath of fresh air and optimism that is so sorely needed…”
-– Charles Anteby, Director of Development, Sephardic Bikur Holim

“When you leave an Orly talk–you feel better about yourself. You leave believing that you can make a difference in the world.”
-– Rabbi David Hertzberg, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Middle Division Principal

"In January, Orly Wahba spoke at Pacific Hospitality Group's Annual Conference about the power of kindness and the impact it can have on others. During her speech, Orly shared her personal journey with kindness and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections. Her speech resonated with our employees and moved many of them to tears. I highly recommend Orly for speaking engagements. Your team and/or employees will not be disappointed!"– Kristal McKanders, Pacific Hospitality Group

"Wow! Orly's presentation was truly inspirational! I heard only positive responses from the teachers as well as the students. One teacher commented on Orly's feeling in the Resource Room, something we don't often talk about. It was a very valuable insight that many kids can relate to.
I'm thankful for people like Orly and Lou who have the conviction to stand up and show us - We CAN make a difference. Now that we know this we WILL make a difference!"- Frankford School

"Orly is a remarkable individual and I loved her speech and delivery. As I sat listening to Orly and seeing her presence on the stage, she reminded me of Tony Robbins. The raw voice, the passion and the inspirational message was pure magic! Mark my words, Orly is going to be one of the best and well sort-after speakers in the industry."
-- Dr Tererai Trent, Scholar, Humanitarian, Author and Oprah's All-Time Favorite Guest

"As a veteran teacher in the North Pocono School District, I have had the privilege of participating in many school assemblies. Through the years, we take bits and pieces of the noteworthy school assemblies which offer our student body with positive advice and our staff-inspiration. It’s not surprising that Orly Wahba was chosen for a TED talk presentation because she is THAT good!Her message is clear, and she covers so much ground. Addressing topics including bullying, depression, addiction, and self-worth, she comes from a place of positive. Using her own life as the scaffold for her message, she connects with each individual person in the room while addressing the entire auditorium of listeners. I am one to get “teary” during school assemblies (usually while hearing an incredibly sentimental song that connects with memory). Orly touched my heart AND soul. There’s a song by Jewel called “Hands” that is always a reminder that “In the end, only kindness matters.” It is a message that I - like many of my colleagues- value. Having Orly reinforce this message with such clarity, personality, authenticity, and passion reminds us that positive energy and care should never be pushed aside. In a world where we are surrounded by messages of negativity, hopelessness, and dread- Orly reminds us to see goodness every day. Her film, Kindness Boomerang, reflects the light of her message. One person can make a difference each day in this world. And when one chooses authentic kindness, it is a boomerang that eventually returns. Understanding that meaningfulness is at the heart of important endeavors, I thank you, Orly, for reminding us about what really matters in order to make a difference in this extraordinary world we call home."
- Christine Sepkowski- 6th grade English teacher, North Pocono School District

Praise for Kindness Boomerang

"Kindness Boomerang is filled with fun tips and ideas for finding happiness in everyday activities."
--Tony Hsieh, NY Times bestselling author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.com, Inc.

"Orly Wahba's book Kindness Boomerang is more than good philosophy, it is a box of spiritual tools - it is full of heart and decent thoughts, good will, and makes available a ready course of action for any given day. This is the work of a beautiful and evolved human being. When I grow up, I hope to be more like Orly Wahba. Get this book! Change the world a little bit at a time, and you yourself can change..."
-- Peter Scolari, Emmy Award-winning actor

"Orly has put together a little gift box of 365 reminders——each one a digestible, practical little to-do item that will spark a change in the world. Kindness Boomerang is a little book that will make a big change, a little bite-sized Bible of reminders for those who want to stay on the path of compassion."
-- Amanda Palmer, lead singer, pianist, and lyricist of the duo The Dresden Dolls.

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